Computerized neuropsychological assessment devices in multiple sclerosis: A systematic review

Affiliations

¹ Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA.
² Division of Rehabilitation Psychology and Neuropsychology, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
³ National Multiple Sclerosis Society, New York, NY, USA.
⁴ Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Department of Neurology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA.
⁵ Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
⁶ New York University, New York, NY, USA/South Shore Neurologic Associates, New York, NY, USA.
⁷ South Shore Neurologic Associates Islip, NY.
⁸ The Mandell MS Center, Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital, Hartford, CT, USA.
⁹ Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA/Jacobs Neurological Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA/Canisius College, Buffalo, NY, USA.
¹⁰ Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA/Jacobs Neurological Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA.

PMID: 31637963
PMCID: PMC6875828
DOI: 10.1177/1352458519879094

Computerized neuropsychological assessment devices in multiple sclerosis: A systematic review

Curtis M Wojcik et al. Mult Scler. 2019 Dec.

. 2019 Dec;25(14):1848-1869.

doi: 10.1177/1352458519879094. Epub 2019 Oct 22.

Affiliations

¹ Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA.
² Division of Rehabilitation Psychology and Neuropsychology, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
³ National Multiple Sclerosis Society, New York, NY, USA.
⁴ Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Department of Neurology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA.
⁵ Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
⁶ New York University, New York, NY, USA/South Shore Neurologic Associates, New York, NY, USA.
⁷ South Shore Neurologic Associates Islip, NY.
⁸ The Mandell MS Center, Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital, Hartford, CT, USA.
⁹ Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA/Jacobs Neurological Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA/Canisius College, Buffalo, NY, USA.
¹⁰ Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA/Jacobs Neurological Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA.

PMID: 31637963
PMCID: PMC6875828
DOI: 10.1177/1352458519879094

Abstract

Background: The proliferation of computerized neuropsychological assessment devices (CNADs) for screening and monitoring cognitive impairment is increasing exponentially. Previous reviews of computerized tests for multiple sclerosis (MS) were primarily qualitative and did not rigorously compare CNADs on psychometric properties.

Objective: We aimed to systematically review the literature on the use of CNADs in MS and identify test batteries and single tests with good evidence for reliability and validity.

Method: A search of four major online databases was conducted for publications related to computerized testing and MS. Test-retest reliability and validity coefficients and effect sizes were recorded for each CNAD test, along with administration characteristics.

Results: We identified 11 batteries and 33 individual tests from 120 peer-reviewed articles meeting the inclusion criteria. CNADs with the strongest psychometric support include the CogState Brief Battery, Cognitive Drug Research Battery, NeuroTrax, CNS-Vital Signs, and computer-based administrations of the Symbol Digit Modalities Test.

Conclusion: We identified several CNADs that are valid to screen for MS-related cognitive impairment, or to supplement full, conventional neuropsychological assessment. The necessity of testing with a technician, and in a controlled clinic/laboratory environment, remains uncertain.

Keywords: Multiple sclerosis; cognition; computerized tests; reliability; systematic review; validity.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Conflicting Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

**Figure 1.**
PRISMA systematic review flow diagram.

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Computerized neuropsychological assessment devices in multiple sclerosis: A systematic review

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Computerized neuropsychological assessment devices in multiple sclerosis: A systematic review

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